This has been a remarkable year for news. From Crimea to the Affordable Care Act, Egypt’s dissolving government to Kim Jung Un’s meme popularity, news has arguably never been more popular. Weber State has had its share of excitement this year as well, and The Signpost was there to capture it. Here are Weber’s five most memorable moments for this year, in no particular order.
1. WSU’s 125th anniversary celebration
WSU celebrated its 125th birthday this year with bombastic festivities in the Shepherd Union in January. Thousands of balloons dropped to the tunes of Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband while students, faculty and staff enjoyed pieces of the scale-model cake of campus. To say that Weber Academy has been successful is an understatement. The now nationally recognized university has outlasted the Great Depression, disco and the turn of the millennium. Kudos be to the Wildcat Nation, and long live the purple and white.
2. Utah’s gay marriage struggle
The fight over Amendment 3 is no stranger to Utah news. Regardless of individual opinions, it became the most controversial rights issue since Martin Luther King, and the Beehive State was thrust into the spotlight. Weber State students rallied to both sides, supporting demonstrations, kindling discussions, and working to support religious and civil rights on and off campus. Eventually, students celebrated (or bemoaned) the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act. Amendment 3 is currently in the appellate court system and will likely make its way to the Supreme Court.
3. New science building announced
A new science building is set to grace the face of our mountainside campus. This building is dedicated to the bright future of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) programs and students at WSU. President Wight wants to put Weber on the map for the science programs and is dedicated to gaining the funding to do so. The Tracy Hall Science Center is set to open its doors in 2016, with a groundbreaking planned for this May.
4. President Wight’s inauguration
Weber’s president, Charles Wight, was inaugurated this year. Taking the reins from Ann Millner is quite a challenge, but this chemist-turned-administrator is up for the task. Wight’s inauguration focused on the new science building and revamping the Dream Weber program to meet the needs of a recessed economy.
5 . The highs and lows of Weber State Athletics
Sports at Weber State are frequently a mixed bag. In one year, the football team has lost a head coach and the women’s basketball team snapped a two-year road losing streak, with the latter team winning seven games and the football team winning only two of its 12. Jay Hill, the former assistant coach to the U of U’s football team, was hired to revitalize the football program. Time will tell his success.
Despite the struggles of some of the programs, this was a great year for Wildcat fans. Waldo made it to the big dance for the first time since 2007 and gained national recognition for putting up a good fight against first seed Arizona. Despite the loss, a no-name team from Ogden going on an impressive run against a first seed is something to be congratulated.
While the basketball team went far, no athletic program was more successful than the hockey team, boasting the Mountain West Conference title. Anyone who hasn’t been to a hockey game should check (pun intended) it out.
